Picture of the Day

This is North Carolina Populist Democatic Governor (1949-53) W. Kerr Scott from Alamance County (served as U. S. Senator from 1954-58; he died in office). Here he is attending the 1952 National Democratic Convention in Chicago where the Democrats nominated Illinois U. S. Senator Adlai Stevenson for President and Mississippi U. S. Senator John Sparkman for Vice President.

Gov. Scott was fondly referred to as "the Squire of Haw River". His most fervent supporters, of which my father was one, were referred to as "the Branchhead Boys". Gov. Scott was regarded as one of the most racially and generally progressive figures in the South during his era. He was beloved by North Carolinians.

Thought for the Week - The Paradoxical Commandments

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest man and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow top dogs.
Fight for the underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need your help but may attack you if you help them.
Help them anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

From "Do It Anyway" - by Kent M. Keith

Picture of the Day

A man offers a rose to a woman to mark International Woman's Day in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, April 12, 2010. (Marko Djurica / Reuters).

Personal Observations On Augusta National

Ordinarily there would be a few reasons for me to have less than positive reflections about Augusta National Country Club and the Masters. The very exclusive nature of the membership, the exclusion of women from membership, the exclusion of blacks from membership until the early 1990s, for example. But in spite of these concerns, there is something very special about the place. Its beauty, its elegance, its tradition, it's proper decorum, the place it holds in the tradition of American sports, all combine to cause Augusta to hold a special place with me, despite it's few drawbacks.

I recall a wonderful story I heard Irwin Smallwood relate about his first assignment to the Masters. It was 1948. A 21-year old sports writer with the Greensboro News and Record, Irwin was, as I was, taken aback by his first glance at Magnolia Lane. He nervously made his way to the press tent where he was surprisingly greeted by Augusta National Charter Member Joseph Bryan, philanthropist from Greensboro. Joe tried to make the nervous kid feel at home. Toward the end of their conversation, Joe told Irwin that he had arranged an interview for him with the legendary club founder Bobby Jones. Irwin was stunned and shaken but, of course, happily conducted what was an early most memorable interview for the young sports writer.

I'll never forget being there in 1994 for all four rounds, with limo service back and forth from the Riverfront Radisson, entertaining customers for a national company for whom I worked at the time. My buddy Mark and I were there in 2006, just 20 feet from the remarkable 180 degree putt Tiger made at number 16. I fondly recall a most humorous story my older brother tells about Greensboro's Bill Black, Jr., who was Bobby Jones' son-in-law, regarding an encounter Black had with Mr. Jones at the club on a particular evening. I recall getting to the first tee early on a Thursday opening round day and watching honorary starters Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen tee off to start the tournament. I recall that one of the first people I saw at the course the first time I went was my Uncle Warren Bass from Greensboro. Just after that, I was in the concession line with Carter Administration Attorney General Griffin Bell. Oh, those Augusta memories.

Whether it is Amen Corner, Eisenhower Cabin, the Eisenhower Tree, Magnolia Lane, the excitment and anticipation of the drive to Augusta, or just watching the tournament from the couch in the den on a Sunday afternoon in April, the place and the event are special. Yes, I certainly overlook the few characteristics which are generally contrary to my values, remembering, as a good friend wisely said recently, there are less favorable and more favorable attributes in about all people and all institutions. Let's celebrate that which is worth celebrating, that which adds flavor, elegance, and tradition to our culture and our lives.

"First Pitch" Opens 2010 Baseball Season

Just too cool. Presidents throwing out the first pitch to open the major league baseball season goes back to William Howard Taft's first pitch in 1910 in old Griffith Stadium in Washington. It is always a joyous occasion for a baseball fan.

100 years later in 2010, Barack Obama continues the great Spring tradition. Hopefully it is a time when all people are able to put politics aside and honor and respect the The President in of his ceremonial role as "Head of State" (as opposed to head of the executive branch of government or head of a political party). What a beautiful Spring day it was, April 5, 2010. Click below for short video of event.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6365664n&tag=api

Eugene Allen, White House Butler to 8 Presidents, Dead at Age 90

Eugene Allen was an ordinary man who led an extraordinary life. He died yesterday at the age of 90. Eugene served 8 Presidents, beginning with Harry Truman, as White House Butler. His stories are poignant. Alot of them are catalogued in the great Washington Post article attached below. The accompanying photo gallery is excellent.

Eugene was especially close to President Ford with whom he shared a birthday. His JFK funeral reflection, and his President Eisenhower memory are especially good. He recalls beautifully Nancy Reagan inviting he and his wife to an official White House Dinner upon the announcement of his retirement. He served LBJ cups of milk and scotch to sooth his stomach as Vietnam protesters were outside the gates of the White House. What stories he could tell.

One of his best reflections involves Martin Luther King. Eugene looked up one day and Dr. King was standing in the White House kitchen door. Dr. King always insisted on speaking with the maids and butlers. Dr. King complimented Eugene on the cut of his tuxedo. Eugene smiled.

After being born in Scottsville, Va. in 1919, and suffering through the days of the Jim Crow era before going to the White House, Eugene recalls as his greatest day when he was escorted by a US Marine to his VIP seat, his eyes watering, to watch the first black President sworn in on January 20, 2009 when Eugene was age 89. He had received a VIP invitation to President Obama's inauguration.

Extraordinary lives lived by ordinary people are fascinating. RIP Eugene. Well done.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/01/AR2010040103444.html

A Wonderful Week of the Year

Easter/Holy Week is a wonderful week of the year. It reminds us of the saving and forgiving Grace of our Lord. It reminds us of the holy potential in each of us to be the people God would have us be, based on God's ultimate gift.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world, through him, might be saved." John 3:16, 17

Holy Week also ushers in the earthly beauty of Spring, a radiant, renewing time of year. Go ye in it and Shine!

Click above!